Glass fastening and sealing systems

ABSTRACT

A glass fastening system includes a fastener having a first portion embedded along an interlayer within a laminated glass portion and a second portion extending outward from an exterior surface of the laminated glass portion for use in attachment to a support structure. Another glass fastening system includes a fastener having a first portion adhered to an exterior surface of a glass pane and a second portion extending from the first portion away from the exterior surface for use in attachment to a support structure. A glass sealing system includes a pair of glass panes having offset edge portions and a seal including an overmold portion capturing the edge portions. Another glass sealing system includes a seal having an internal portion embedded within a laminated glass portion and an external portion extending along an exterior surface of the laminated glass portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/298,143, entitled “Glass Fastening and Sealing Systems,” filed onFeb. 22, 2016, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The application relates generally to joints for glass. Moreparticularly, described embodiments relate to overmolds, seals, masks,and fasteners that are joined with laminated glass during or after thelamination process.

BACKGROUND

Laminated glass, or safety glass, is traditionally formed by bondingeither a polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA)interlayer between two layers of glass. A thin film or layer of PVB orEVA can be placed between two layers of glass, a vacuum can be appliedto remove air from between the various layers, and then heat and/orpressure can be applied to bond the layers together, for example, usingan autoclave. Laminated glass can be used to dampen sound transmissionand increase the level of safety in architectural and automotiveapplications, for example, to deter shattering of windows during ahurricane or dampen sound entering through the windows of a passengercompartment of a vehicle.

Traditional fastening systems for laminated glass include edge-styleframes and c-shaped or u-shaped clamps that surround panes of laminatedglass as well as spider-style fittings attached to bore-based fastenersconfigured to position the corners of multiple pieces of laminated glassadjacent to each other. More elegant fastening solutions are needed tominimize visibility of the fastening system.

SUMMARY

The disclosure relates to glass fastening and sealing systems. In oneaspect of the disclosure, a glass fastening system includes a firstglass pane, a second glass pane defining a bore, an interlayer disposedbetween and extending along interior surfaces of the first glass paneand the second glass pane, and a fastener having a first portiondisposed along the interlayer between the first glass pane and thesecond glass pane and a second portion extending outward from anexterior surface of the second glass pane.

In another aspect of the disclosure, a glass fastening system includes afirst glass pane, a second glass pane, an interlayer disposed betweenthe glass panes, an adhesive layer disposed along an exterior surface ofthe second glass pane, and a fastener having a first portion extendingalong the adhesive layer and a second portion extending from the firstportion and away from the exterior surface. The second portion of thefastener is configured to secure the first glass pane and the secondglass pane to a support structure.

In another aspect of the disclosure, a glass sealing system includes afirst glass portion having a first edge portion, a second glass portionhaving a second edge portion, an interlayer disposed between the firstglass portion and the second glass portion, and a seal comprising anovermold portion capturing the first edge portion and the second edgeportion.

In another aspect of the disclosure, a glass sealing system includes afirst glass pane, a second glass pane defining a recessed portion and aplurality of bores within the recessed portion, an interlayer disposedbetween the first glass pane and the second glass pane, and a seal. Theseal includes an internal portion extending along and disposed withinthe recessed portion, an external portion axially aligned with theinternal portion and extending along an exterior surface of the secondglass pane, and connection portions extending through the bores from theinternal portion to the external portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detaileddescription in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein likereference numerals designate like structural elements. A description ofthe drawings is as follows.

FIG. 1 shows a top view of laminated glass including a fastening system.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded sectional view of a fastener embedded in aportion of the laminated glass of FIG. 1 during glass lamination.

FIG. 3 shows an exploded sectional view of another fastener embedded ina portion of the laminated glass of FIG. 1 during glass lamination.

FIG. 4 shows an exploded sectional view of another fastener adhered to aportion of the laminated glass of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows a top view of laminated glass including another type offastening system.

FIG. 6 shows an exploded sectional view of a fastener extending througha portion of the laminated glass of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 shows a top view of a juncture for two portions of laminatedglass including another type of fastening system.

FIG. 8 shows an exploded sectional view of a fastener for clamping thetwo portions of laminated glass of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 shows a top view of a sealing juncture for two portions oflaminated glass with at least one portion movable in respect to theother portion.

FIG. 10 shows an exploded sectional view of the sealing juncture of FIG.9 with seals embedded during glass lamination.

FIG. 11 shows a sectional view of laminated glass sections disposedwithin a ductile, structural overmold.

FIG. 12 shows a top view of another sealing juncture for two portions oflaminated glass adhered to a support structure.

FIG. 13 shows a sectional view of the sealing juncture of FIG. 12 withmasks embedded during glass lamination.

FIG. 14 shows a sectional view of the sealing juncture of FIG. 12 withoverlapping covers adhered to the glass for adhesion to the supportstructure.

FIG. 15 shows a sectional view of the sealing juncture of FIG. 12 withspaced covers adhered to the glass for adhesion to the supportstructure.

FIG. 16 shows a sectional view of the sealing juncture of FIG. 12 withfasteners extending from the laminated glass into the support structure.

FIG. 17 shows a sectional view of the sealing juncture of FIG. 12 withfasteners extending from an overmold into the support structure.

FIG. 18 shows a top view of another sealing juncture for two portions oflaminated glass with at least one portion movable in respect to theother portion.

FIG. 19 shows a sectional view of the sealing juncture of FIG. 18 withan overmolded seal disposed on one of the glass portions.

FIG. 20 shows a sectional view of the sealing juncture of FIG. 19 withanother overmolded seal disposed on one of the glass portions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following disclosure relates to glass fastening systems, sealingsystems, and support structures. In some examples of fastening systems,fastener portions are embedded between glass panes during a glasslamination process. In other examples of fastening systems, fastenerportions are adhered to exterior surfaces of glass panes or magneticallyattracted to each other through glass panes. In examples of sealingsystems, seals are partially embedded within or encapsulated aroundedges of laminated glass portions, either during or after the laminationprocess. In examples of support structures, transparent, ductile supportbodies extend between overmold portions to capture and support laminatedglass portions.

The glass fastening and sealing systems described below can beimplemented in automotive applications, for example, to increase thetransparent area of glass surfaces in a vehicle such as the windshield,door windows, backlight, or roof. Embedded fasteners can be used toattach laminated glass directly to underlying body structure, such as anA-, B-, or C-pillar in a vehicle. Embedded or encapsulated seals can beused to abut portions of laminated glass, for example, at a door windowto a windshield or a backlight interface, allowing more of the interfaceto be transparent. Supporting laminated glass portions within atransparent, ductile body can also increase the transparent area ofvarious glass vehicle surfaces.

FIG. 1 shows a top view of laminated glass 100 including an example of afastening system. As seen in the top view, multiple fasteners 102 areincluded in the fastening system, each including a fastener portion 104embedded within or adhered to the laminated glass 100 and a fastenerportion 106 configured to couple with the embedded or adhered fastenerportion 104, for example, in association with a structure to which thelaminated glass 100 is connected, such as a vehicle pillar or a doorframe. A section, A-A, is shown as extending through a central fastener102 in the fastening system. Sectional views through section A-A forvarious examples of the fastener 102 are described in conjunction withFIGS. 2-4 below.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded sectional view of a fastener 202 embedded in alaminated glass portion 200 during the lamination process. The laminatedglass portion 200 can be part of the laminated glass 100 of FIG. 1. Thesectional view of laminated glass portion 200 includes a first glasspane 208 and a second glass pane 210. The second glass pane 210 definesa bore 212. The laminated glass portion 200 also includes an interlayer214 defining another bore 216, the bore 216 in the interlayer 214 beingaxially aligned with the bore 212 in the second glass pane 210, forexample, along axis B. The interlayer 214 is disposed between the firstglass pane 208 and the second glass pane 210 and extends along interiorsurfaces of the first glass plane 208 and the second glass pane 210 soas to couple the first and second glass panes 208, 210. The interlayer214 can include a pressure-based adhesive and/or a thermally-activatedadhesive configured to join the first glass pane 208 and the secondglass pane 210 during the lamination process.

The fastener 202 in the laminated glass fastening system of FIG. 2includes a fastener portion 204 disposed at least partially within thebore 216 in the interlayer 214 once the lamination process is complete.The second glass pane 210 can also include a relief portion 218 formed,for example, by grinding or machining. The relief portion 218 isconfigured both to avoid an increase in thickness in the laminated glassportion 200 and to assist in locating the fastener portion 204 beforethe lamination process. Thus, the fastener portion 204 becomes captured,or sandwiched, between the first glass pane 208 and the second glasspane 210 once lamination is complete. The fastener 202 also includes afastener portion 220 extending from the fastener portion 204 and throughthe bore 212 in the second glass pane 210. The fastener portion 220 canextend below a bottom surface of the second glass pane 210 after thelamination process is complete.

The fastener 202 also includes a fastener portion 206 configured tocapture the fastener portion 220 that extends through the bore 212beyond the bottom surface of the second glass pane 210. In this example,the fastener portion 206 is a female portion and the fastener portion220 is a male portion, though other configurations are also possible.The fastener portion 206 can be disposed in, extend through, orgenerally be associated with a structure such that connection of thefastener portion 220 with the fastener portion 206 couples the laminatedglass portion 200 to the underlying structure.

The lamination process can include placing a compliant layer 222 betweenthe fastener portion 204 and the relief portion 218 of the second glasspane 210. The compliant layer 222 can be deformable and configured todissipate clamp loads between the fastener 202 and the second glass pane210 since machining or grinding the relief portion 218 can createadditional stress on the laminated glass portion 200. Though thecompliant layer 222 is shown as located within the relief portion 218,the fastener 202 could alternatively be designed to include thecompliant layer 222.

The lamination process for embedding the fastener 202 of FIG. 2 can alsoinclude placing a conductive layer 224 between the first glass pane 208and the fastener portion 204, the conductive layer 224 being configuredto transmit energy through the fastener 202. In one example, theconductive layer 224 can be designed to collect solar energy. In anotherexample, the conductive layer 224 can be designed to transmitelectricity in order to power devices associated with the laminatedglass portion 200, such as lights, sensors, etc. In some cases, thesedevices can be part of the embedded fastener 202.

FIG. 3 shows an exploded sectional view of another fastener 302 embeddedin a laminated glass portion 300 during the lamination process. Thelaminated glass portion 300 can be part of the laminated glass 100 ofFIG. 1. The sectional view of the laminated glass portion 300 includes afirst glass pane 308 and a second glass pane 310. The laminated glassportion 300 also includes an interlayer 314 defining a bore 316. Theinterlayer 314 is disposed between the first glass pane 308 and thesecond glass pane 310 and extends along interior surfaces of the firstglass plane 308 and the second glass pane 310 so as to couple the firstand second glass panes 308, 310. The interlayer 314 can include apressure-based adhesive and/or a thermally-activated adhesive configuredto join the first glass pane 308 and the second glass pane 310 duringthe lamination process.

The fastener 302 in the laminated glass fastening system of FIG. 3includes a fastener portion 304 disposed at least partially within thebore 316 in the interlayer 314 once the lamination process is complete.To aid in locating the fastener portion 304 during the laminationprocess and avoid an increase in overall thickness, the second glasspane 310 can include a relief portion 318 formed, for example, bygrinding or machining. The fastener portion 304 becomes captured, orsandwiched, between the first glass pane 308 and the second glass pane310 once lamination is complete, nestled within the bore 316 and therelief portion 318.

The fastener 302 also includes a fastener portion 320 disposed on anexterior surface of the second glass pane 310. The fastener portion 320can be aligned with the fastener portion 304 after the laminationprocess is complete by having one of the fastener portion 304 and thefastener portion 320 formed of a magnetic material and the other of thefastener portion 304 and the fastener portion 320 formed of amagnetically attractable material, that is, the two fastener portions304, 320 are attracted magnetically.

The magnet, be it part of the fastener portion 304 or the fastenerportion 320, can be designed to have sufficient strength to allow thefastener portion 320 to be further coupled to the separate fastenerportion 306. The fastener portion 306 is configured to capture thefastener portion 320. In this example, the fastener portion 306 is afemale portion and the fastener portion 320 is a male portion, thoughother configurations are also possible. In a similar manner as describedin respect to FIG. 2, the fastener portion 306 can be disposed in,extend through, or generally be associated with a structure such thatconnection of the fastener portion 320 with the fastener portion 306couples the laminated glass portion 300 to the underlying structure.

FIG. 4 shows an exploded sectional view of another fastener 402 adheredto a laminated glass portion 400. The laminated glass portion 400 can bepart of the laminated glass 100 of FIG. 1. The laminated glass portion400 includes a first glass pane 408, a second glass pane 410, and aninterlayer 414 disposed between the first glass pane 408 and the secondglass pane 410. As in previous examples, the interlayer 414 joins thefirst glass pane 408 and the second glass pane 410 during the laminationprocess. A fastener 402 is attached to the second glass pane 410 usingan adhesive 426, the adhesive being disposed on an exterior surface ofthe second glass pane 410. Alternatively, the adhesive 426 can beapplied to the fastener 402 before attachment to the laminated glassportion 400.

Specifically, the fastener 402 includes a fastener portion 404 that isdisposed on and extends for the length of the adhesive 426 and afastener portion 420 extending away from the fastener portion 404 andaway from an exterior surface of the second glass pane 410. Optionally,the fastener portion 404 can include, comprise, or be contained within aglass housing 428, or at least formed of a glass material. In thisexample, the adhesive 426 connects two glass surfaces together. Using aglass housing 428 or a glass material in association with the fastenerportion 404 provides additional structure and strength to the fastener402 while at the same time minimizing stress to the laminated glassportion 400 and maintaining transparency.

The fastener 402 can also include a fastener portion 406 configured tocapture the fastener portion 420. In this example, the fastener portion406 is a female portion and the fastener portion 420 is a male portion,though other configurations are also possible. In a similar manner asdescribed in respect to FIGS. 2 and 3, the fastener portion 406 can bedisposed in, extend through, or generally be associated with a structuresuch that connection of the fastener portion 420 with the fastenerportion 406 couples the laminated glass portion 400 to the underlyingstructure.

FIG. 5 shows a top view of laminated glass 500 including another type offastening system. As seen in this top view, multiple fasteners 502 areincluded in the fastening system, portions of the fasteners 502 beingpresent on a top surface of the laminated glass 500. A section, C-C, isshown as extending through a central fastener 502 in the fasteningsystem. A sectional view along section C-C through a fastener similar toone of the fasteners 502 is described in conjunction with FIG. 6 below.

FIG. 6 shows an exploded sectional view of a fastener 602 extendingthrough a laminated glass portion 600. The laminated glass portion 600can be part of the laminated glass 500 of FIG. 5. The laminated glassportion 600 includes a first glass pane 608 having a relief portion 618and defining a bore 630, a second glass pane 610 defining a bore 612,and an interlayer 614 defining a bore 616. The bores 612, 616, 630 areaxially aligned and the interlayer 614 is disposed between the firstglass pane 608 and the second glass pane 610.

The fastener 602 includes a fastener portion 604 at least partiallydisposed within the relief portion 618 within the first glass pane 608and a fastener portion 620 extending from the fastener portion 604through all three bores 612, 616, 630. The fastener 602 also includes afastener portion 606 configured to capture the fastener portion 620. InFIG. 6, the fastener portion 620 is shown as a male portion and thefastener portion 606 is shown as a female portion, though otherconfigurations are possible. For example, the fastener portion 606 canat least partially extend through the bore 612 to capture the fastenerportion 620. The fastener portion 606 can extend from or be capturedwithin a support structure, such as a vehicle pillar or a door frame.

In operation, the laminated glass portion 600 can be machined, drilled,bored, etc. either before or after the lamination process, and thefastener portion 606 can be associated with or make contact with anunderlying structure in order to join the laminated glass portion 600 tothe structure. In the example of FIG. 6, the fastener portion 604 isdesigned so as to be flush with an outer surface of the first glass pane608 after connection of the laminated glass portion 600 to thestructure.

FIG. 7 shows a top view of a juncture for two laminated glass portions700 a,b including another type of fastening system. As seen in the topview, multiple fasteners 702 are included in the fastening system,portions of the fasteners 702 being present on a top surface of a trimelement 732 used to clamp the two laminated glass portions 700 a,btogether. A section, D-D, is shown as extending through a centralfastener 702 in the fastening system. A sectional view through sectionD-D of a fastener similar to one of the fasteners 702 is described inconjunction with FIG. 8 below.

FIG. 8 shows an exploded sectional view of a fastener 802 for clampingtwo laminated glass portions 800 a,b together. The laminated glassportions 800 a,b can be part of or similar to the laminated glassportions 700 a,b of FIG. 7. The laminated glass portions 800 a,b eachinclude first glass panes 808 a,b, second glass panes 810 a,b, andinterlayers 814 a,b. Both laminated glass portions 800 a,b also includerecess portions 818 a,b on upper surfaces. A trim element 832 isdisposed within the recess portions 818 a,b. In a manner similar to thatshown for the trim element 732 of FIG. 7, the trim element 832 of FIG. 8can extend for most of the length of the two laminated glass portions800 a,b in order to define a clamping surface against the two laminatedglass portions 800 a,b.

The trim element 832 also defines a bore 834, the bore 834 beingconfigured to receive the fastener 802. The fastener 802 in FIG. 8includes a fastener portion 804 that is disposed along an upper surfaceof the trim element 832 and a fastener portion 820 that extends from thefastener portion 804 through the bore 834 and along side surfaces of thetwo laminated glass portions 800 a,b. The fastener 802 also includes afastener portion 806 configured to capture the fastener portion 820 andclamp the two laminated glass portions 800 a,b together in conjunctionwith the trim element 832. The trim element 832 can also include arecess portion (not shown) such that the fastener portion 804 sitswithin the recess portion of the trim element 832 once the clamp load isapplied.

In FIG. 8, the fastener portion 820 is shown as a male portion and thefastener portion 806 is shown as a female portion, though otherfastening schemes are also possible. In this example, the fastenerportion 806 is also designed to extend along the side surfaces of thetwo laminated glass portions 800 a,b when it captures the fastenerportion 820. Again, the fastener portion 806 can be associated with,captured within, or extend from an underlying structure such as avehicle pillar or a door frame such that the fastening system clamps thetwo laminated glass portions 800 a,b to the underlying structure usingthe trim element 832.

FIG. 9 shows a top view of a sealing juncture for two laminated glassportions 900 a,b with at least one portion 900 a movable in respect tothe other portion 900 b. Each of the laminated glass portions 900 a,bincludes an embedded seal 936 a,b. The seals 936 a,b include internalportions 938 a,b, external portions 940 a,b, and a plurality ofconnection portions 942 a,b that extend from the internal portions 938a,b to the external portions 940 a,b of the seals 936 a,b. The sealingjuncture is designed such that the external portion 940 a can couplewith the external portion 940 b when the two laminated glass portions900 a,b are brought together, for example, in the case of moving windowin the door of a vehicle. A section, E-E, is shown as extending througha pair of central connection portions 942 a,b in the sealing system. Asectional view through section E-E for a connection portion similar tothe central connection portions 942 a,b is described in conjunction withFIG. 10 below.

FIG. 10 shows an exploded sectional view of the sealing juncture of FIG.9. Each of the laminated glass portions 1000 a,b in FIG. 10 includes afirst glass pane 1008 a,b, a second glass pane 1010 a,b, and aninterlayer 1014 a,b disposed between the first and second glass panes1008 a,b, 1010 a,b. The second glass panes 1010 a,b define recessedportions 1018 a,b and bores 1012 a,b. The recessed portions 1018 a,b canextend along the length of the second glass panes 1010 a,b and the bores1012 a,b can be multiple and spaced along the recessed portions 1018 a,bat predetermined intervals.

The laminated glass sealing system of FIG. 10 can include a pair ofseals 1036 a,b. The seals 1036 a,b can include internal portions 1038a,b that extend along and are disposed within the recessed portions 1018a,b. The seals 1036 a,b can also include external portions 1040 a,b thatare axially aligned with the internal portions 1030 a,b and extend alongan exterior surface of the second glass panes 1010 a,b. In this example,the external portions 1040 a,b also extend beyond the sides of thesecond glass panes 1010 a,b, forming lips or edges for the seals 1036a,b outside of the second glass panes 1010 a,b.

The seals 1036 a,b can also include multiple connection portions 1042a,b, the connection portions 1042 a,b extending through the bores 1012a,b from the internal portions 1038 a,b to the external portions 1040a,b. The seals 1036 a,b can be located prior to lamination, for example,by passing the external portions 1040 a,b through the bores 1012 a,b.Alternatively, the seals 1036 a,b can be applied to the laminated glassportions 1000 a,b after the lamination process, for example, usinginjection molding or another process configured to force the material ofthe seals into the recessed portions 1018 a,b through the bores 1012a,b.

In operation of the sealing system of FIG. 10, the two external portions1040 a,b can be engaged by sliding the laminated glass portions 1000 a,btoward each other in the same plane. In this example, the externalportion 1040 a is a male portion and the external portion 1040 b is afemale portion, though other coupling schemes are also possible. Thelaminated glass sealing system of FIG. 10 also includes a set of masks1044 a,b disposed between the first glass panes 1008 a,b and theinterlayers 1014 a,b, the masks 1044 a,b being axially aligned with theinternal portions 1038 a,b of the seals 1036 a,b so as to blockvisibility of the seals 1036 a,b from an external surface of the firstglass panes 1008 a,b. The masking feature is optional and serves tochange the appearance of the laminated glass sealing system.

FIG. 11 shows a sectional view of laminated glass portions 1100 a,b,c,ddisposed within ductile, structural overmolds. In this example, theovermolds are support structures 1146 a,b,c,d including support bodies1148 a,b,c,d extending between pairs of overmold sections 1150 a,b,c,d,with each of the overmold sections 1150 a,b,c,d capturing one end of thelaminated glass portions 1100 a,b,c,d. Though the example of FIG. 11includes four laminated glass portions 1100 a,b,c,d and four supportstructures 1146 a,b,c,d coupled in a ring shape, other configurationsare also possible.

The support structures 1146 a,b,c,d can be formed of a non-glassmaterial, such as a composites or a polymer with transparent properties,making both the laminated glass portions 1100 a,b,c,d and the supportstructures 1146 a,b,c,d transparent. The support structures 1146 a,b,c,dcan also be formed of a ductile material that allows deformation whileat the same time providing sufficient stiffness to withstand outsideforces acting upon the laminated glass portions 1100 a,b,c,d withoutbending or buckling. These outside forces can be caused, for example, bywinds from weather events, by impact from other structures, etc.

FIG. 12 shows a top view of another sealing juncture for two laminatedglass portions 1200 a,b adhered to a support structure 1252. The supportstructure 1252 can be, for example, a vehicle pillar, such as ana-pillar or a roof beam extending between a-pillars on a vehicle, or anarchitectural beam, such as a brace extending between a floor and aceiling in a building. The sealing juncture can be designed such that anouter edge 1254 a of the laminated glass portion 1200 a is spaced froman outer edge 1254 b of the laminated glass portion 1200 b when the twolaminated glass portions 1200 a,b are adhered to the support structure1252. The sealing juncture can also be designed such that both laminatedglass portions 1200 a,b overlap an upper surface of the supportstructure 1252 to allow for build tolerance variation when securing thelaminated glass portions 1200 a,b to the support structure 1252. Asection, F-F, is shown as extending through the laminated glass portions1200 a,b and the support structure 1252 in the sealing system. Varioussectional views through section F-F for a variety of sealing andattachments systems are described in conjunction with FIGS. 13-17 below.

FIG. 13 shows a sectional view of the sealing juncture of FIG. 12 withmasks 1344 a,b embedded during glass lamination. The sealing juncturecan include two glass portions 1300 a,b having first glass panes 1308a,b, second glass panes 1310 a,b, and interlayers 1314 a,b. Though shownas laminated glass portions 1300 a,b, other forms of glass or othertransparent materials are also possible. Adhesive layers 1326 a,b, forexample, in the form of a thick, curable, compliant adhesive such asurethane, can be disposed on exterior surfaces of the glass portions1300 a,b in order to secure the glass portions 1300 a,b to a supportstructure 1352. In the example of FIG. 13, the adhesive layers 1326 a,bare positioned near outer edges 1354 a,b of the glass portions 1300 a,bsuch that the adhesive layers 1326 a,b can be compressed against thesupport structure 1352 and, for example, cured or dried, in order tofirmly secure the glass portions 1300 a,b to the support structure 1352.

When being secured to the support structure 1352, the outer edges 1354a,b of the glass portions 1300 a,b are generally aligned while at thesame time slightly spaced in order to avoid contact between the outeredges 1354 a,b. Additionally, a sufficient amount of overlap is designedbetween the glass portions 1300 a,b and the support structure 1352 suchthat build variation in the support structure 1352 or placement of theadhesive layers 1326 a,b does not impact sealing of the adhesive layers1326 a,b to the support structure 1352. Once the glass portions 1300 a,bare secured to the support structure 1352, the visual effect becomes oneof floating glass, with both the support structure 1352 and the adhesivelayers 1326 a,b visible through the glass portions 1300 a,b.

In the case where viewing the adhesive layers 1326 a,b is not desirableor the adhesive requires isolation from solar radiation, the glassportions 1300 a,b can be designed with integrated masks 1344 a,b, forexample, of a color or style matching, coordinating with, or otherwisecomplementing the support structure 1352 or other design features of theoverall structure in which the glass portions 1300 a,b are installed.The masks 1344 a,b can be laminated between the respective glass panes1308 a,b, 1310 a,b or can be applied to an exterior surface of the glassportions 1300 a,b. When applied, the masks 1344 a,b are designed foraxial alignment with the adhesive layers 1326 a,b such that the adhesivelayers 1326 a,b are not visible through the glass portions 1300 a,b. Themasks 1344 a,b can include any number of colors, materials, or designfeatures so as to both cover the adhesive layers 1326 a,b and provide apleasing visual effect.

FIG. 14 shows a sectional view of the sealing juncture of FIG. 12 withoverlapping covers 1456 a,b adhered to glass portions 1400 a,b foradhesion to an underlying support structure 1452. The sealing juncturecan include two glass portions 1400 a,b having first glass panes 1408a,b, second glass panes 1410 a,b, and interlayers 1414 a,b. Though shownas laminated glass portions 1400 a,b, other forms of glass or othertransparent materials are also possible. Thin, transparent adhesivelayers 1458 a,b can be applied to exterior surfaces of the glassportions 1400 a,b in order to secure the covers 1456 a,b to the glassportions 1400 a,b. The transparent adhesive layers 1458 a,b can bedesigned with little or no compliance in order to rigidly secure thecovers 1456 a,b to the glass portions 1400 a,b.

The covers 1456 a,b in the example of FIG. 14 are elongated panelshaving opposing surfaces, the first surfaces being secured to thetransparent adhesive layers 1458 a,b, and the second or opposingsurfaces being configured to receive compliant adhesive layers 1426 a,bsimilar to the adhesive layers 1326 a,b described in reference to FIG.13. The covers 1456 a,b can be shaped in variety of ways or formed froma variety of materials, such as plastic, steel, aluminum, or composite,so as to create a desired visual effect when viewed from either side ofthe glass portions 1400 a,b. The covers 1456 a,b are designed to extendbeyond outer edges 1454 a,b of the glass portions 1400 a,b when securedby the transparent adhesive layers 1458 a,b to obscure the supportstructure 1452 from view through one side of the glass portions 1400a,b.

Once the compliant adhesive layers 1426 a,b are applied to the covers1456 a,b, the glass portions 1400 a,b can be positioned such that theextending portions of the covers 1456 a,b either meet or overlap, andthe combination of the glass portions 1400 a,b and the covers 1456 a,bcan be compressed against the support structure 1452 to complete thesealing juncture. When the glass portions 1400 a,b are secured to thesupport structure 1452, the covers 1456 a,b extend from opposing edgesof the support structure 1452 to positions beyond the outer edges 1454a,b of the glass portions 1400 a,b, completely obscuring the compliantadhesive layers 1426 a,b from view from either side of the glassportions 1400 a,b.

FIG. 15 shows a sectional view of the sealing juncture of FIG. 12 withspaced covers 1556 a,b adhered to glass portions 1500 a,b for adhesionto an underlying support structure 1552. The sealing juncture caninclude two glass portions 1500 a,b having first glass panes 1508 a,b,second glass panes 1510 a,b, and interlayers 1514 a,b. Though shown aslaminated glass portions 1500 a,b, other forms of glass or othertransparent materials are also possible. Transparent adhesive layers1558 a,b can be applied to exterior surfaces of the glass portions 1500a,b in order to secure the covers 1556 a,b to the glass portions 1500a,b. The transparent adhesive layers 1558 a,b can be designed to bethin, with little or no compliance, or to be thicker, having somecompliance. In either design, the transparent adhesive layers 1558 a,bcan firmly secure the covers 1556 a,b to the glass portions 1500 a,b.

The covers 1556 a,b in the example of FIG. 15 are c-shaped channelshaving opposing surfaces, the first surfaces being secured to thetransparent adhesive layers 1558 a,b, and the second or opposingsurfaces being configured to receive compliant adhesive layers 1526 a,b.The shape of the covers 1556 a,b allows the channels to be filled withthe compliant adhesive layers 1526 a,b. The support structure 1552 canbe designed with recesses 1560 a,b configured to receive the covers 1556a,b filled with the compliant adhesive layers 1526 a,b, that is, thecovers 1556 a,b can be inserted, at least partially, within the recesses1560 a,b in the support structure 1552. To secure the glass portions1500 a,b to the support structure 1552, the compliant adhesive layers1526 a,b that fill the channels in the covers 1556 a,b can be compressedagainst bottom surfaces of the recesses 1560 a,b in the supportstructure 1552.

Though the covers 1556 a,b in FIG. 15 are shown as protruding slightlyfrom the recesses 1560 a,b when the sealing juncture is complete, thecovers 1556 a,b can be designed to be flush with the top of the recesses1560 a,b or to protrude further from the recesses 1560 a,b wheninstalled. In any of these configurations, the covers 1556 a,b cancompletely obscure the compliant adhesive layers 1526 a,b from viewwhile at the same time providing a striped visual effect when viewedfrom one side of the glass portions 1500 a,b. The location of therecesses 1560 a,b in the support structure 1552 can modify the visualeffect. Additionally, the recesses 1560 a,b can be shaped such that thecompliant adhesive layer 1526 a,b can be removed when necessary, forexample, using a thin angled tool, such as a vehicle trim tool in thecase where the support structure 1552 is a vehicle pillar.

FIG. 16 shows a sectional view of the sealing juncture of FIG. 12 withfasteners 1602 a,b extending from glass portions 1600 a,b into a supportstructure 1652. The sealing juncture can include two glass portions 1600a,b having first glass panes 1608 a,b, second glass panes 1610 a,b, andinterlayers 1614 a,b. Though shown as laminated glass portions 1600 a,b,other forms of glass or other transparent materials are also possible.Transparent adhesive layers 1658 a,b can be applied to exterior surfacesof the glass portions 1600 a,b in order to secure first portions 1604a,b of the fasteners 1602 a,b to the glass portions 1600 a,b. Thetransparent adhesive layers 1658 a,b can be designed to be thin, withlittle or no compliance, in order to rigidly secure the first portions1604 a,b to the glass portions 1600 a,b.

The fasteners 1602 a,b in the example of FIG. 16 include both the firstportions 1604 a,b secured to the transparent adhesive layers 1658 a,band second portions 1620 a,b extending from the respective firstportions 1604 a,b away from the transparent adhesive layers 1658 a,b.The support structure 1652 can be designed with bores or recesses 1660a,b configured to receive the second portions 1620 a,b of the fasteners1602 a,b. In one embodiment, the recesses 1660 a,b in the supportstructure 1652 can be filled with compliant adhesive layers 1626 a,bconfigured to receive the second portions 1620 a,b of the fasteners 1602a,b in order to secure the glass portions 1600 a,b to the supportstructure 1652. In another embodiment (not shown) the recesses 1660 a,bcan include other forms of retainers, such as bushings, configured toreceive the second portions 1620 a,b of the fasteners 1602 a,b.

The first portions 1604 a,b of the fasteners 1602 a,b can be visiblethrough the glass portions 1600 a,b and can be shaped or styled suchthat the second portions 1620 a,b of the fasteners 1602 a,b as well asthe compliant adhesive layers 1626 a,b are obscured when viewed from oneside of the glass portions 1600 a,b. The location of the fasteners 1602a,b adhered to the glass portions 1600 a,b and the location of therecesses 1660 a,b in the support structure 1652 can be changed to modifythe visual effect. The recesses 1660 a,b can be shaped such that thecompliant adhesive layers 1526 a,b, and in turn, the second portions1620 a,b of the fasteners 1602 a,b can be removed when necessary, forexample, using a thin angled tool, such as a vehicle trim tool.

FIG. 17 shows a sectional view of the sealing juncture of FIG. 12 withfasteners 1702 a,b extending from overmolds 1750 a,b into a supportstructure 1752. The sealing juncture can include two glass portions 1700a,b having first glass panes 1708 a,b, second glass panes 1710 a,b, andinterlayers 1714 a,b. Though shown as laminated glass portions 1700 a,b,other forms of glass or other transparent materials are also possible.The overmolds 1750 a,b can be applied, for example, using anencapsulation process, to edges 1754 a,b of the glass portions 1700 a,b.The overmolds 1750 a,b can be designed to secure first portions 1704 a,bof the fasteners 1702 a,b to the glass portions 1700 a,b and create avisual feature along the edges 1754 a,b.

The fasteners 1702 a,b in the example of FIG. 17 include both the firstportions 1704 a,b embedded or captured within the overmolds 1750 a,b andsecond portions 1720 a,b extending perpendicularly from the firstportions 1704 a,b out of the overmolds 1750 a,b. The support structure1752 can be designed with bores or recesses 1760 a,b configured toreceive the second portions 1720 a,b of the fasteners 1702 a,b. In theexample of FIG. 17, the recesses 1760 a,b can be designed to hold orreceive retainers, such as bushings 1762 a,b, configured to capture thesecond portions 1720 a,b of the fasteners 1702 a,b. Though the retainersshown are bushings 1762 a,b, other forms of retainers such as clips,adhesives, or clamps are also possible.

The first portions 1704 a,b of the fasteners 1702 a,b can be visiblethrough the glass portions 1700 a,b and can be positioned within theovermolds 1750 a,c as desired to modify the visual effect of thefasteners 1702 a,b. The interface between the overmolds 1750 a,b and thesupport structure 1752 can be designed such that the second portions1720 a,b of the fasteners 1702 a,b can be removed from the supportstructure 1752 when necessary, for example, by designing a gap betweenthe overmolds 1750 a,b and the support structure 1752 when the fasteners1702 a,b are secure. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 17, the fasteners1702 a,b are located at discrete points within the overmold 1750 a,b. Inan alternative embodiment (not shown), the second portions 1720 a,b ofthe fasteners 1702 a,b can be located at discrete points while the firstportions 1704 a,b of the fasteners 1702 a,b are formed as strips orbars, creating a striped effect when viewed through the glass portions1700 a,b.

FIG. 18 shows a top view of another sealing juncture for two glassportions 1800 a,b with one glass portion 1800 a movable in respect tothe other glass portion 1800 b. The glass portions 1800 a,b includefirst edge portions 1864 a,b and second edge portions 1866 a,b that areoffset from the first edge portions 1864 a,b. The sealing juncture isdesigned such that the when the glass portion 1800 a moves toward theglass portion 1800 b, the first edge portions 1864 a,b align and thesecond edge portions 1866 a,b align when the two glass portions 1800 a,bare brought together, for example, in the case of a moving window in thedoor of a vehicle. A section, G-G, is shown as extending through theglass portions 1800 a,b in the sealing system. Various sectional viewsthrough section G-G for a variety of sealing systems are described inconjunction with FIGS. 19-20 below.

FIG. 19 shows a sectional view of the sealing juncture of FIG. 18 withan overmolded seal 1936 disposed between glass portions 1900 a,b. Eachof the glass portions 1900 a,b in FIG. 19 includes a first glass pane1908 a,b, a second glass pane 1910 a,b, an interlayer 1914 a,b disposedbetween the first and second glass panes 1908 a,b, 1910 a,b, and edges1954 a,b defining first edge portions 1964 a,b offset from second edgeportions 1966 a,b. The offset of the first edge portion 1964 a and thesecond edge portion 1966 a is in the opposite direction from the offsetof the first edge portion 1964 b and the second edge portion 1966 b suchthat the two glass portions 1900 a,b can align in an interlocking mannerwhen one moves toward the other. The offset is beneficial, for example,in situations where pressure differentials inside and outside of thesealing juncture pull the edges 1954 a,b of the glass portions 1900 a,bapart, such as in a vehicle traveling at higher speeds.

The seal 1936 in FIG. 19 can include an overmold portion 1968 thatcaptures the first edge portion 1964 b and the second edge portion 1966b of the glass portion 1900 b, for example, by encapsulation. The seal1936 can also include a compressible portion that extends from theovermold portion 1968. In this example, the compressible portionincludes a first bulb portion 1970 configured to sealingly engage thefirst edge portions 1964 a,b of the glass portions 1900 a,b undercompression and a second bulb portion 1972 configured to sealinglyengage the second edge portions 1966 a,b of the glass portions 1900 a,band the support structure 1952 under compression. In operation of thesealing system of FIG. 19, the glass portions 1900 a,b can be sealedagainst the support structure 1952 by sliding the glass portion 1900 atoward the glass portion 1900 b. Once slid together, the first edgeportion 1964 a of the glass portion 1900 a engages the first bulbportion 1970 and the second edge portion 1966 a of the glass portion1900 a engages the second bulb portion 1972. The second bulb portion1972 is compressed in a manner which in turn engages the supportstructure 1952 as shown.

FIG. 20 shows a sectional view of the sealing juncture of FIG. 18 withanother overmolded seal 2036 disposed between glass portions 2000 a,b.Each of the glass portions 2000 a,b in FIG. 20 includes a first glasspane 2008 a,b, a second glass pane 2010 a,b, an interlayer 2014 a,bdisposed between the first and second glass panes 2008 a,b, 2010 a,b,and edges 2054 a,b defining first edge portions 2064 a,b offset fromsecond edge portions 2066 a,b. The offset of the first edge portion 2064a and the second edge portion 2066 a is in the opposite direction fromthe offset of the first edge portion 2064 b and the second edge portion2066 b such that the two glass portions 2000 a,b can align in aninterlocking manner when one moves toward the other, as was described inreference to FIG. 19.

The seal 2036 in FIG. 20 can include an overmold portion 2068 thatcaptures the first edge portion 2064 b and the second edge portion 2066b of the glass portion 2000 b, for example, by encapsulation. The seal2036 can also include a pair of compressible portions that extend fromthe overmold portion 2068. In this example, a first bulb portion 2070 isconfigured to sealingly engage the first edge portions 2064 a,b of theglass portions 2000 a,b under compression and a second bulb portion 2072is configured to sealingly engage the second edge portions 2066 a,b ofthe glass portions 2000 a,b under compression. To guide the glassportions 2000 a,b together and to seal the glass portions 2000 a,b tothe support structure 2052, the sealing system includes another seal2074 disposed on the support structure 2052. In operation, the glassportions 2000 a,b can be sealed against the support structure 2052 bysliding the glass portion 2000 a toward the glass portion 2000 b. Onceslid together, the first edge portion 2064 a of the glass portion 2000 aengages the first bulb portion 2070 and the second edge portion 2066 aengages the second bulb portion 2072. The second glass pane 2010 a alsocompresses the seal 2074 attached to the support structure 2052.

What is claimed is:
 1. A glass fastening system, comprising: a firstglass pane; a second glass pane defining a first bore; an interlayerdisposed between and extending along interior surfaces of the firstglass pane and the second glass pane and defining a second bore axiallyaligned with the first bore; a fastener having a first portion disposedwithin the second bore of the interlayer between the first glass paneand the second glass pane, a second portion extending through the firstbore and outward from an exterior surface of the second glass pane, anda third portion configured to engage the second portion of the fasteneroutside the exterior surface of the second glass pane, wherein the firstportion of the fastener anchors the fastener between the first glasspane and the second glass pane, and wherein the second portion of thefastener comprises a male portion and the third portion of the fastenercomprises a female portion; and a conductive layer disposed within thesecond bore between the first glass pane and the first portion of thefastener, wherein the conductive layer is configured to transmitelectricity through the fastener, and wherein the conductive layer fillsthe second bore in the interlayer to form a continuous surface with theinterlayer and cover an entire surface of the first portion of thefastener.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the interlayer includes atleast one of a pressure-based adhesive and a thermally-activatedadhesive configured to join the first glass pane and the second glasspane, sandwiching the first portion of the fastener.
 3. The system ofclaim 1, further comprising: a compliant layer disposed between thefirst portion of the fastener and the second glass pane.
 4. The systemof claim 1, wherein the second portion of the fastener is directlycoupled to the first portion.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein one ofthe first and second portions is magnetically attractable to the otherof the first and second portions.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein thesecond glass pane defines a relief portion surrounding the first borethat is axially aligned with the first bore and the second bore, andwherein the first portion of the fastener is disposed within the reliefportion.
 7. The system of claim 6, further comprising: a compliant layerdisposed within the relief portion of the second glass pane and defininga third bore aligned with the first bore, wherein the first portion ofthe fastener extends through the third bore.
 8. The system of claim 1,wherein the conductive layer is configured to collect solar energy. 9.The system of claim 8, wherein the conductive layer is configured to usethe collected solar energy to transmit electricity to power devices thatare part of the fastener, and wherein the devices include at least oneof lights or sensors.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the secondportion of the fastener is configured to directly couple the first andsecond glass panes to a vehicle structure, and wherein the vehiclestructure is at least one of a vehicle pillar or door frame.
 11. A glassfastening system, comprising: a first glass pane; a second glass panedefining a relief portion and a first bore disposed within and axiallyaligned with the relief portion; an interlayer disposed between thefirst glass pane and the second glass pane and defining a second boreaxially aligned with the relief portion and the first bore; a fastenerhaving a first portion disposed within the relief portion and a secondportion extending from the first portion, through the first bore, andoutward from an exterior surface of the second glass pane; and aconductive layer disposed within the second bore between the first glasspane and the first portion of the fastener, the conductive layerconfigured to transmit electricity through the fastener, fill the secondbore in the interlayer, and cover an entire surface of the first portionof the fastener.
 12. The system of claim 11, further comprising: acompliant layer disposed within the relief portion of the second glasspane between the first portion of the fastener and the second glasspane.
 13. The system of claim 11, wherein the conductive layer isconfigured to transmit electricity to the first portion of the fastenerto power devices that are part of the fastener, and wherein the devicesinclude at least one of lights or sensors.
 14. The system of claim 11,wherein the second portion of the fastener is directly coupled to thefirst portion and comprises a male portion.
 15. The system of claim 14,wherein the fastener has a third portion configured to engage the secondportion of the fastener outside the exterior surface of the second glasspane, and wherein the third portion comprises a female portion.
 16. Aglass fastening system, comprising: a first glass pane; a second glasspane defining a recessed portion; an interlayer disposed between andextending along interior surfaces of the first glass pane and the secondglass pane and defining a bore axially aligned with the recessedportion, wherein the recessed portion and the bore in the interlayerhave equal cross-sectional areas perpendicular to the axis of alignment;a fastener having a first portion disposed within the recessed portionof the second glass pane, wherein the first portion anchors the fastenerbetween the first glass pane and the second glass pane, and a secondportion extending outward from an exterior surface of the second glasspane, wherein the second portion comprises a male portion; and aconductive layer disposed within the bore, extending between the firstglass pane and the first portion of the fastener, and covering an entiresurface of the first portion of the fastener, wherein the conductivelayer is configured to collect energy and transmit electricity to thefirst portion of the fastener to power devices that are part of thefastener, and wherein the conductive layer and the interlayer form acontinuous surface with the conductive layer filling the bore in theinterlayer.
 17. The system of claim 11, wherein one of the first andsecond portions is magnetically attractable to the other of the firstand second portions.
 18. The system of claim 16, wherein the secondportion of the fastener is configured to directly couple the first andsecond glass panes to a vehicle structure, and wherein the vehiclestructure is at least one of a vehicle pillar or door frame.
 19. Thesystem of claim 16, wherein the devices include at least one of lightsor sensors.
 20. The system of claim 16, wherein the bore is a firstbore, wherein the second glass pane defines a second bore axiallyaligned with the first bore and the recessed portion, and wherein thesecond portion of the fastener is directly coupled to the first portionof the fastener and extends through the second bore and outward from theexterior surface of the second glass pane.
 21. The system of claim 20,wherein the fastener has a third portion configured to engage the secondportion of the fastener outside the exterior surface of the second glasspane, and wherein the third portion comprises a female portion.
 22. Thesystem of claim 16, wherein one of the first and second portions ismagnetically attractable to the other of the first and second portions.23. The system of claim 15, wherein connection of the second portion ofthe fastener to the third portion of the fastener is configured tocouple the first and second glass panes to a vehicle structure, andwherein the vehicle structure is at least one of a vehicle pillar ordoor frame.